School Board Work Session | December 9, 2025

001[music] Good afternoon and welcome to the Poke County School Board's work session. We will now call the work session for December 9th, 2025 to order. Thank you to our staff who are available and accessible to help address any questions. As a board, we strive to work with you to ensure we achieve our mission to provide a highquality education for all students. I would like to start by reading our who are we statement. We are the Poke County Govern Poke County leadership governance team. If we were to pick one phrase that define us, it would be student- centered. Because when we come together to work, we lean on our diverse backgrounds and experiences to ensure that our decisions are focused on providing a highquality education for all students. The four most important things to our governance

002team are operating with integrity, respecting our students, staff, families, and each other, establishing a culture where stakeholders feel valued, supported, and have opportunities for personal and professional growth, and supporting an approach to of continuous improvement to ensure student outcomes. [clears throat] Collectively, we need to work on behalf of the children we serve and find avenues of agreement so that we can govern the district in an effective manner. There is no acceptable alternative. We will always collaborate in a respectful manner in order to enhance opportunities for each student and staff member. We will not disparage others. Our students will thrive because we will remain committed to supporting the whole child. We hope to engage and empower our students and stakeholders to create a community of lifelong learners. At this time, I would like to turn over

003our meeting to Superintendent Hyde to lead us in our work session today. >> Good afternoon everyone. Happy holidays. Thank you for being here. Um board members, the first item that we have before us today on the superintendent report is related to proposed rule development. So, at this time, I will bring up the wonderful Miss Terresa Griffin, who has the unenviable task of presenting these each time, as well as Mr. Chad Davis. [laughter] >> Wow, >> Chad, that did not come out the way I intended it to. I'm so sorry. >> How about newly appointed or soon to be appointed county city commissioner? So, congratulations. >> Good afternoon, everyone. Um, I am bringing just a few policies for you today. Um, and this rounds out the batch of policies that I've been bringing the last um,

004several work sessions. So, there will be a short little break. You won't have to see me for a little bit until Niola drops their next um, update, which usually comes towards the end of January. So, by the time we work go through that with staff and everything, depending on how large the update is, most likely we'll start bringing more policies back in March or April. So the first batch of policies are the nursing mother's policies, policies 1425, 3425 and 4425. The recommendation is to resend those policies and instead adopt policy 8280. And the changes to this policy is from the federal pumped act which expanded the classifications of what employees are listed um in the fair labor standards act. One thing that I want to point out is we're not changing the way we handle

005nursing mothers here at the district. We've always had a place for that in all of our employee groups. That's why we had it in the 1000s, 3000s, and the 4,000s already. Niola only recommended prior to this only recommended us to have policy 4425. We as a district when we adopted that policy decided to also create 1425 and 3425. So, we've already had the language basically there for all of the employee groups, but now that the Fair Labor Standards Act has been changed, they've just decided to use one policy to cover all the groups instead of three separate policies. Does anyone have any questions on the nursing mother's policy? >> Seeing none. >> Okay. The next is our investments policy 6144.01. And this is just based on Niola's proactive review of the policy as well as

006input from our investment advisory council who um Miss Heather Jenkins worked with to provide the revisions that you see in there. So some of the changes in there are from Neiola and then some are directly from our investment advisory council. Any questions on investments? >> Seeing none. >> Okay. And then our last couple of policies, policy 6325, procurement, federal grants and funds, and policy 6550, travel and expenses. Both of these are updated based on the Office of Management Budgets revisions to the uniform grant guidance regulations. You may recall um back in September, I brought a handful of financial related policies that were all updated based on this guidance. This is an extension of that. And actually policy 6325 I did bring to you back in September. Since then um staff um reached out and we

007needed to adjust the threshold that was listed in that policy. So the only difference between when I brought it to you and September and what it looks like today is there's a micro purchase micro purchase threshold that originally the fill-in- thelank said 5,000. Now it says 15,000 and that's just to align with the code of federal regulations. And then policy 6550, our travel and expenses policy. Um there's some additional staff initiated revisions in that for incount and out of county travel. Policy 7230 is our gifts to the school district. And this is just part of Nola's ongoing efforts to review and refine existing policies. So, it's getting rid of our existing template and updating to our current template, but nothing is changing with the way we handle gifts to the school district. Any questions on

008those? >> Seeing none. >> Okay. Um, one thing that I wanted to point out, that's all I have for you today, but I wanted to point out, um, tonight you are voting, there's a public hearing, you are voting on a large group of policies that we brought over several work sessions. Um then there's also um Mr. Green is asking for authority to advertise the policies I just presented today as well as those that I presented in November. The only thing on that is in November I brought to you the drug-free workplace policy. Since then, um Mr. Davis has had a conversation with risk management and they're actually looking at that a little further. We may have to refine that policy. So that won't be on his list to ask for authority tonight. That'll come to

009you at a later date. And that's all I have. >> See no questions or comments. Thank you, Miss Griffin. >> Thank you, Mr. Davis. >> The next item up we have before us is will be presented by Miss Rouse and Miss Smith. And this is the evaluation team proposal. >> Good afternoon, ladies. >> Hi. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Chair Sharless, Vice Chair Keys, schoolboard members, Superintendent Hyde. Thank you for a few minutes this afternoon for us to present um a proposal about evaluation an evaluation team um at the district level. We're presenting today because the quality implementation of our employee evaluation systems is critical to staff growth and retention. And so, you're going to hear this this afternoon about some current challenges that we have. um share how some peer districts um have their how

010do they staff for evaluation system support and present some potential opportunities for the district to make some improvements. And I've got my colleague here, Beth Smith, with us, senior director of professional development. There we go. Um, so employee evaluation systems definitely support district strategic plan goal two, developing great teachers and leaders. With that, we know when an employee receives effective feedback that's coupled with professional growth opportunities, that does lead to more job satisfaction because they get better at their practice, which can in turn help retain staff. So in the end, when an evaluation system is used correctly, it's a huge lever for staff growth. What we um are proposing today you're going to see is a centralized evaluation team which we do not currently have that would lead to more data informed leadership and then

011let us be more intentional with our staff development around evaluation essential performance criteria and so forth and obviously more consistent evaluator implementation because there's a lot of variability across how supervisors implement the instruments. um not because a lack of trying but really just not consistent and deep support and development along the way. So with that we wanted to kind of try to give a snapshot excuse me of what the current workflow is. So you'll see here that there are seven major employee groups that have evaluation systems. But with that, so under these seven umbrellas are every single employee, their positions classified in one of these seven. So you've got all your teacher evaluation systems from classroom to non-classroom. All of those, there's tons of positions that fall in those. You have your ask me groups,

012your custodial uh bus drivers and so forth group. You have your um educational support personnel, which are your paras, your secretaries. in that group. Then you have your schoolbased administrators, principles, assistant principles. They have different standards. They have different instruments um for their evaluation systems. And then you have three groups for district staff. You have district level professional technical which are like your senior coordinators, your analysts, your senior managers, district level instructional staff, like your curriculum specialists, and then finally your district level administrative staff. anyone from an assistant director and above. So across that you can see there's so many different instruments and evaluation systems. Whoever knows that information it becomes very complex to be able to navigate across all of them and be able to support any employee. Currently it's worrisome because we have

013just one or two people that are keepers of all of that knowledge. and um that's why we're here for you today. So, what we try to give was a snapshot. You'll see the communication volume. This was just one 30-day sample between two staff that are currently in professional development. You can see the numbers there, but they don't tell the whole story. So, we know like one IQ ticket, it's one number in that 108, but it may have had five to six touch points back and forth before resolution was um found. So it is a heavy volume of work and the current the two people that do this currently this is just a slice of what they're doing. They are not dedicated to supporting employee evaluation systems solely. So what we wanted to do is share

014with you how some of our peer districts compare um to their evaluation teams and how they're staffed for that. So, we did reach out to Dval, Orange, Pasco, Hillsbor, Panellis, Lee, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade. Um, we did hear back from all but two, and you're about to see that data. But what we found overall is most of the large districts, they do have a dedicated team managing this work. Um, and primarily they are managed by human resources. There are instances they are managed in professional development but in those districts professional development is under HR is a division of HR. So on this slide you'll see here it says Miami Dade zero. Unfortunately we we were not able to gain contact with anyone in Miami Dade so I don't know definitely what they do

015but in Broward you they have eight dedicated staff. Um, Hillsboro, we did end up hearing back from them recently. They have five. Orange County has six. Palm Beach has eight. Duval, it says seven there. Um, recently, we just corrected that this morning. Actually, it should say four. And Pulp, we don't have any. Lee, we have they have two. Panelis, we did not hear back from. And Pasco has two. So when we look at this, we see that pulk is somewhat of an outlier in that we don't have a dedicated team or staff to manage the systems. Um and so what we would like is a team to ensure compliance to provide consistent training and to manage reporting which is not happening at all right now. Um and support supervisors so that they can implement in

016a quality way. So we have opportunities to strengthen PULK's evaluation system. Currently the senior director, myself, and senior coordinator of professional development managed the evaluations for approximately 14,000 employees. While the professional development department has managed these evaluation systems effectively to the best of our ability, the workload and complexity continues to grow. Our system is multifaceted and it includes components from several departments. So for instance, professional development really works on evaluator certification, SAO support, things of that nature. We also partner with a A&E who do does um tasks like pulling state data and linking that to instructional and administrator evaluations. The IST department manages journey which is our online system for recording and storing our evaluations and HR um works with ensuring adherence to article 15 of the CBA um working through appeals and grief in

017the grievance process. So creating a dedicated team will provide a team that is focused and dedicated to this work to create a cohesive system as opposed to it just being a slice of someone else's work. So on this slide we show the workflow structure. The current workflow is that in professional development two staff members which is myself the senior director and a senior coordinator manage the day-to-day operations of the evaluation system. And I'm going to be completely honest and transparent. I do not shoulder 50% of that workload. As senior director, I am managing every professional learning initiative in our district from tips to principal internship and everything in between. So I jump in when and how I can. So the majority of this work is falling on one senior coordinator at this time. um with

018>> with a dedicated evaluation team, we would have a touch point that can coordinate with PD, HR, IST, and A&E to create that cohesive C system that could best support our employees. So, we have some current model challenges. Um our workflow at this time is unsustainable. It leads to delays and inconsistent application of the evaluation requirements in some departments and schools. We have evaluation systems that are reported to the state and those are all in great standing. But we do have departments that do not have to report to the state or any other governing body. And we have employees in some of those departments that we have discovered have not received consistent evaluations. So it really is our belief that every employee deserves an evaluation. so that they know how they are performing within their

019role and how they can continue to grow within their chosen career. Um we feel this is happening due to a a lack of support, guidance and monitoring which a dedicated team could bring and provide um every employee what they deserve within their evaluation system. Most importantly, this would allow the professional development department to refocus on strategic initiatives that support our district-wide instructional improvement and continue the work that we do to help all instructional uh staff obtain those high levels um for all students. Like I said, we support everything from day zero tips employees through um employees that are wanting to become leaders through the PILA program and all the other pieces that teaching and learning needs. This proposal moves us toward a more proactive, organized, and data-driven evaluation process. The potential roles and responsibility of

020a proposed team would be an evaluation team lead that would develop district-wide evaluation strategy, ensure statutory compliance, present evaluation data and insight to key stakeholders, monitor trends for evaluation policy and procedural improvements. a professional learning lead, which would design and deliver professional learning programs for district and school-based staff, conduct research on evaluation best practices, collaborate with key stakeholders to integrate into manuals and timelines, provide individualized coaching and observer calibration to ensure adherence to evaluation rubrics and an operational support which would resolve instant IQ tickets, troubleshoot system issues, identify reoccurring issues, recommend improvements to enhance um efficiency, prepare and distribute monthly reports summarizing evaluation um metrics. So that is our presentation for today. Thank you so much for your time and we welcome any questions you may have. >> So before I call on board me

021[cough] any [clears throat] board member questions or comments, just wanted to provide a little bit more context for the board. Um, we have spoken numerous times over the last probably year, year and a half about the need to revise and ensure that each employees evaluation clearly reflects and provides us with the opportunity to provide them feedback on duties and responsibilities directly related to their role. In many instances, we have generic evaluation instruments that seek to capture everyone under one umbrella. And so there is a great deal of work here and this is why they get so many questions because there are times even when the board is evaluating its employees there may be areas and we have had this discussion before which ones apply which ones may not are they explicitly aligned to the duties

022and responsibilities are they not so this allows this team essentially would function to ensure that number one we're compliant with all statutory requirements and and that number two probably the more important part I think you heard them express is the need to ensure that that staff feel that their evaluation instrument accurately reflects what they do each day and would give them the appropriate feedback in order for us to sustain growth, professional and personal development over time. So I just wanted to provide that context. Uh Mr. Keys, so the first comment that I have is I love how this proposal attaches to our strategic plan, right? Um as kind of this is my level of study in my graduate program um and leadership. I want to grow and nurture from within. And I think this allows

023us a tool to do so. But with that, I have a few questions. One of those, thank you already answered because when I saw those um other districts and I saw Miami Dade and and Hillsboro Zero, I like wait a minute, what are they doing? If they can do it without doing this, how can we I'm always thinking about money, right? So that [clears throat] was the first. So thank you for answering that question. I think the the second one I have is following your current workflow structure and the proposed. My question is this. Is this simply a restructure and reallocation of current assets or are we talking about a new lift? And I guess specifically what I'm looking for is what always boils down to me is what is it what is is there

024additional cost with this? If we're just simply moving, you know, chess pieces, that's great, right? If we can say, hey, these are your this is your new defined role because as the superintendent already touched on, if we're doing an evaluation process, it's not a one-sizefitit all. We can't develop somebody if we're just kind of saying we're going through the motions and we're required to evaluate you and we want to evaluate you so that's all we're doing. But if we really pour into that with okay this is what your evaluation said. Now let's take those areas and look for some gains. I think that's the very positive thing. So that's kind of really you know my first question on that is or my second question statement is is there additional cost with this? Is it simply

025moving people or we looking on bringing on more staff for this? So today was just to see give you input and give you an idea of the need. So we didn't come with like a budget impact analysis which we could do moving forward if the board is interested. But this would involve the current players in the roles of HR, IST, HR and PD would remain as touch points and serve in that circle of um collaborators with this district team. that it would be three different new people that would serve as the team and then they would be the hub of coordinating with the different departments. So follow up to that knowing what you know about that is there a potential to take somebody in a role that they're currently serving in where they may already

026have those touch points and recind of assign to that new role or these going to be as we're looking at now potentially brand new roles. No, we as we've done each budget cycle, we attempt to see if there's an opportunity for us to consolidate existing vacancies or opportunities to reassign and realign those duties and responsibilities. So that's always our primary um pursuit. And then second to that, if we need to supplement that department somehow, we would make that recommendation during the staffing plan uh request later on this year. Um but I will provide the board with every assurance that again first and foremost we try to maximize our existing expenditures and resources so that there is no additional fiscal impact. Um but as a large and growing districts we we're going to have needs that

027sometimes will exceed our ability to staff internally. But we always look at that first. >> Excellent. Well, thank you for that and and I'll tell you just I'm excited about seeing this and where it goes and looking forward to some more information on it. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Sharpless. >> Yeah, Mr. Keys. Uh that was one of my concerns just cost and what was going to be the bottom dollar, you know, bottom line dollar for this. Um but another one of mine, I'm just a little confused, superintendent, by something you said and also kind of with the presentation. I just want to make sure I'm clear. Um when we talk about a centralized management and standardization of evaluation systems. So we're standardizing it, but we're also individualizing it. So I'm kind of confused. If

028you can explain that a little bit. So the standardization is standardizing the process and procedures procedures and timelines in which we will re-evaluate or review or revisit I'm trying to find different words so that they make sense um or revisit the evaluation instrument. Right? So we currently have evaluation instruments that are probably 10 years old, 12 years old, 15 years old um which no longer truly reflect the duties and responsibilities of those individuals. So procedurally you're standardizing the process in which each one will be reviewed. You're standardizing the process in which a timeline in which they will be reviewed again in the future or the revision process. Um and then from there you're individualizing it again based not on the individual the person you're basing it off the the job duties and responsibilities that position

029itself as a position number. >> So I just want to make sure I got this clear. standardizing the process >> of of you [clears throat] know dates all that kind of stuff and and in but you're individualizing the instrument to the position >> with respect to groups. >> Okay. >> Right. So all custodians within a specific job description will have the same evaluation instrument. You're not going to have 200 custodians each have an individualized%. >> We're we're not giving an individualized evaluation plan to each employee. Although, you know, conceptually it's a great idea, the problem is logistically how do you how do you pull that off each year >> workflow? >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So, [laughter] that's what we're looking for. >> No, we don't want that either. >> But I I didn't want

030the general assumption to be that we're giving every individual their own valuation. It should reflect their duties and responsibilities. >> Thank you. That was my main question. >> Thank you, >> Miss Fields. >> Thank you. Uh I had some of the same questions that uh that the gentleman had. Uh I did want to know if uh you can give give me the the number of structures that's in other districts that you can repeat that because I think you said there was a couple of ones that were initially zeros but now you've gotten information. >> Yes ma'am. So Miami Dade we never heard back from unfortunately. We will continue to try to get that data and bring it back to you. Broward they have eight staff members on their evaluation team. Hillsbor, we did hear from

031them early uh this morning. Actually, they have five. Orange County has six. Palm Beach has eight. Duval actually has four. Lee has two. Pineellis we did not hear back from. Pasco has two. >> Miss Ralph, will you just update that one slide and send it to me forward to the board? >> Yes. And then my other question is and this is just I don't really expect to get an answer but ultimately uh I think one of you said that some of the staff have not been evaluated and so ultimately whose responsibility is that to make sure that they are evaluated. I would imagine it would be their supervisor. >> Correct. And so in all transparency the state requires us to report teacher evaluations, administrator evaluations. There's no requirement at the state level for any other

032evaluation to be reported. So what would happen we would hope with an evaluation team is that there would be consistent monitoring and reporting so that we could catch those things early and speak with supervisors, employees, what have you to make sure that we could minimize that happening. Right now there's um sometimes really good oversight of a supervisor and their supervisor and those things are happening. Maybe other times it's not as such tight oversight. And I don't blame them. I'm just saying sometimes it's the lack of knowledge and knowing. And so the team that would be their responsibility to make sure that there are no gaps in our system um and to support people so that they can do the task that they're required to do. >> Thank you. And I would just say that um

033I don't know how two people have been able to do all of this. It's been really um cumbersome and at times in PD it feels like you're being taken away from really what you should be doing is supporting teaching and learning and the training around the evaluation systems. So that has not been up to par like it we want it to be >> because we've been pulled into doing daily professional technical tasks um because it's constant even outside of the evaluation windows. Employees have questions about their evaluations. Supervisors have questions along the way. >> Well, thank you for addressing it and coming up with the plan of action. >> Thank you. >> Miss Miller. >> Thank you. Um I do have a few questions. One was a cost related which you're going to get to

034us later. Um the employees that you read in the other districts that this is their sole responsibility and their role is to complete this. Is that accurate? Okay. >> And I'm interested in the data that will come from this. Not only it will take a long time to get through all the departments, but I'm assuming that it will you will start over with re-evaluating that tool and how it was used and how it can be updated. Is that something we would have to create or is that something that you have a resource for similar to other districts? >> So there are companies that provide, you know, packages, evaluation systems. They cost a lot of money. So but our teacher evaluations are tied to our collective bargaining agreement. So any changes to any of those instruments

035have to go through formal bargaining negotiation process. But the district level staff, we could use teams internally to do that work to create something that is meaningful for different employee groups um without doing any purchases because we do have our own platform journey. >> Okay. >> Um and our programmers uh work through that all the time and they would just need to make the changes in in journey. I say just but I'm not a programmer. And I realize that's heavy lift. Um, but we could do that in house. >> I think that's your biggest gap because your teacher evaluations, there's so much accountability with the state with that that what I've experienced in my time is that it's the it's everybody under that, the district staff where it's just not consistent. Um, the evaluations aren't

036consistent, how they're given has not been consistent. So I'm hoping that forming something like this would would help that because then we could go back and use that data to you know to address the issues where we have departments where we have one person overseeing 30 and somebody on that same pay scale oversees very few like that kind of I think this will provide data to show usage of employees too. Thank youelcome >> Dr. Superintendent, uh, thanks for the presentation, Miss Rouse. I think this is right up your alley from your past experience and as you move into our chief of staff role. So, and you get you got a great partner next to you as well. I do miss uh seeing Miss Smith around district 1 schools, but I appreciate uh everything that you

037did during your time. Um, questions that I was pondering. Obviously um my colleagues hit a lot of the questions I had formulated but uh was there any particular district model that stuck out to you in uh in your comparative analysis or anything like that that you're like I really like this model. >> So every other district pretty much has like a Marzano framework that they purchase and they you I'm not necessarily jealous of that because um you know it's something you have to purchase and pay for annually. I'm so I'm that's not what I'm jealous about. What I'm what I like how Orange County I'll give them as an example. So they have their team of what's that six and so although they're a team they come with different experiences. So you've got some people

038coming from like an HR background, some coming from a data background, a technology background, right? But they've come together in this hub. So now collectively they can collaborate across the system. So um you can still be an expert in your field although you're part of the evaluation team but you've got to learn the whole system so that you can collaborate across the team and across departments. >> So I would say that would be one that was most interesting to us. >> Nice. Yeah. Uh the next question sort of uh piggybacks off of Miss Miller's comment uh but what type of like measurable improvements you know we should expect and in timelines and compliance any any thoughts on that? I I know this high concept at this point but >> so I would say we would

039want to make goals around um the data reporting >> and changes that take place because of the data reporting. Um, we would want to make goals around the training component, making sure all of our staff receive the training, >> um, and understand and can apply the, uh, instruments, >> updating the tools, updating some of the tools that we're using for specific roles and making sure that that those that have been 10, 12 years um, in the system that we are updating them to be more current to their specific job responsibilities. >> Okay. There's so many needs we'd have to really prioritize and but we would do that. We would prioritize. We would make timelines, action plans so that you would know what to expect yeartoear >> from the team. >> Great. One last question. Uh

040and you know you mentioned the seven umbrellas and then um the the thought around the one division in regards to being required by the state. So that will frame my question then in regards to that group of um individuals underneath that umbrella. But like what tangible differences uh would principles uh evaluators and employees experience you know once this is in place? So, the district staff, I would say they would mostly agree there's been no training, pretty minimal training that they've received on if I'm a supervisor, what I need to do in the evaluation process. They receive documents, they receive a manual, they receive timelines, uh, reminders, updates, but as far as the side by side, the video modules, all those additional supports, they could expect to start to see those types of things. um and

041also customer service where we could come, we'd have this person to sit with the supervisor to help them walk through um the learning of that. Um a principal would hopefully see better understanding from their teachers of what the principles are looking for as they're doing their observations and evaluating them. Teachers would hope to expect to see that their principles would be able to give better feedback. we'd have more um capacity in staff to do more training with the leaders on how do you have a constructive conversation and um get input from the teacher and let them guide their action planning. So they could expect to see a lot of improvements on every level. >> Yeah. >> With the usage because sometimes people feel like it's being done to them. >> Um that's a lack of

042understanding of the system because we should never feel that way. It should be collaboration and no surprises at the end of the year. >> Very good. Uh thanks. I think that's all the questions I have. Superintendent. >> Thank you, sir. Miss Wallace, >> thank you again. Uh echoing everyone else's comments and sentiments. Thank you for what you all are doing. Um I had a couple of questions that I think have already been addressed. I had a paint the picture question which I think you just did in terms of how this comes down to the classroom level. Um so thank you for doing that. I had a couple just a thoughts to um peak or this piques my interest and as we go through this process where um you know things I'll be paying attention for

043is that I appreciate what y'all have done to look at our peer districts and just like what you mentioned with Orange County. I'm going to be curious to see I don't care if they have a 100 people dedicated to this. I want to know what has this meant for student achievement. >> Okay. >> Right. So, I would look at all 67 districts and obviously we can't compare ourselves directly to Wacola County or Taylor County or Monroe County, right? Um, going all over the state. But if we found a peer, not just because they're like us, but just because they're a fellow district in the state of Florida or even nationally, you know, looking at turnaround efforts in some of the major districts across the country. If is Charlotte Meckllinburgg doing something right, is Houston doing

044something, you know, whatever. Um there's there there are and I'm happy to and I'm sure Superintendent Hyde and any number of people next to my left and right, but um to to connect you guys to certain experts. Dr. Viti uh and I know Superintendent Hyde knows him, but he's up in Detroit now. Uh Alberto Carvalo is in LA. You know that we've got a a cool stable of people to talk to coast to coast to get ideas. when we're a top 30 district in our size, there's no reason we couldn't pick up the phone to to research those best practices. That would be my piece of feedback on there. Um, and I think going to Mr. Sharples's question about standardization is I would like to see that every employee who gets one of these evaluations

045be perfectly clear that each category somehow ties back to our strategic plan. So, that's something I've learned from my own employer is we have these buckets that are tied to our corporate strategic plan. And even though I do external relations, that has nothing to do with what a field technician is doing when they install your cable, right? But the company finds a way to say when you're doing these buckets, this goes back to our overall organizational mission. And I feel like that would be a really great way to make every employee, no matter where they sit and what they're doing, understand, you know, how they fit into the larger mission. And um I'm interested to just again, we don't have to talk about it today, but 360°ree evaluations. So, is there a way for the

046employee to pre It doesn't need to be as predominant as there's a reason that there's a supervisor and a manager, right? But for a way for our employees to feel like they're able to give feedback about how they're being led and if they feel like their managers are answering their questions and being responsive, you know, that's I feel like that's a way to build more trust. Um I think something when y'all edit the slide, what would be clearer is if you're still missing um a number from a district, put a question mark rather than a zero. >> Yeah, because then that'll be clear that you're not implying that that was final. >> Um and yeah, I think I just am really excited to I I know that resources are tough and we'll definitely have to

047do our budget work, but I don't want to be pennywise pound foolish. Like I feel like if we find some best practices that tie back to student achievement and perhaps through more frictionless approaches to these things, the these other districts we study um find savings because they have better retention or they they find better achievement, their enrollment's growing because they're attracting excell whatever the reason, right? We might be able to and and and also of course we want to know what vendors and models they're using too. >> So thank you. >> Thank you for the feedback. There are no further questions or comments, ladies. Thank you. >> Board members, the next item is a continuing item that was the board requested further dialogue and information on and this is related to the purchase or the

048recommended purchase of the Lake Marian site for district future development in northeast Pulk County. >> Good afternoon uh Mr. chairman, superintendent, members of the board. Um so again, this is just more of a continuation of your intent to have more dialogue and discussion regarding uh this proposed um uh venture, if you will, for the district that staff brought before you to consider an acquisition of a future land banking site up in the northeast uh of PK County. Again, everyone realizes that P County is a very large county, has a very large footprint with what within which to operate. Um, so with that all being said, I'm not necessarily going to regurgitate the exact same slide deck, but really just be here to receptive and answer questions that you may have had since our last uh

049work session. >> Mr. Sharpless. >> Yes. So, um, [clears throat] I I emailed these questions a while back and I just want to make sure that I'm clear. I I want to feel comfortable. Um, and so I I know we have currently 15 properties around Poke County that we have banked for various different uses. Uh, Superintendent, I appreciate you providing that to me. Um, just so I can understand. Uh, generally I have a concern about land banking at this time during our our current climate. I'm just going to say that's that's a concern of mine. But I have to balance that with fiscal responsibility, right? So if you know we didn't go through and purchase a piece of property and that you know becomes scarce in that area prices shoot through the roof right and

050so I it's a I just want to want you to know it's like a internal struggle I deal with but um understood but my question is uh so if we because a lot of this has to do with the direction of the board. I understand that. But um what would be ideal an ideal uh timeline for when this property would be developed for intended use? Do you have any idea for that? >> So with that, that would be almost a conditionsdriven timeline based off of when utility lines would be extended. uh when we started when I did a review of some of the residential growth specifically within the Poinsiana area and I just did a data pull from the board of county commissioners who has a jurisdiction for issuing all permits within Point Siana and

051I did that actually around 12:05. Um so with that over the last four years they've issued 227 new building home permits and to remind the board the pointiana area that is an area of the county that the state already pre-entitled for growth meaning there are lots that have already been platted and created they already are entitled for permits today. The only thing they're waiting on are extension of utility lines. And again before I uh came before this um work session I uh reviewed uh to Pika Liga who is a utility provider providing water and wastewater for that area. They are again uh extending utility lines within some of these already existed pre-platted subdivision lots. They're already extending lines already uh serves more of those lots. Uh but in terms of numbers, everyone likes data and

052numbers here. So in 2025 as of today there were 47 new home building permits issued. In 2024 there were nine. 2023 there were 30. 2022 there were 141. And within across the appoint area which is from an urban plannerism is a development of regional uh impact. There are several thousand homes that were approved by the state and they were already pre- entitled. So there are still several thousand units to be developed within that area that again they're already pre uh pre-entitled. They were are they are uh preempted from concurrency because the state already vested them when the state approved this. So again when we were when we were looking at the needs of trying to project forward look forward not just 5 years but we're looking 10 years and 20 years at the eventual buildout

053of the northeast of Pulk County. This is what we're looking towards. And again, what uh what drew us to this is that again, it is in a the proximity of it based off of where it is located within the county uh and its uh possible uses even if it is a mixture of uses whether it's educational as well as non-educational meaning a maintenance uh facility, a warehouse, a transportation depot. To put it in context, the closest maintenance shop around that area is in Lake Wales and they have to traverse US 27. So imagine the windshield time that it takes to get you from Lake Wales all the way to the northeast. So there there are countless hours just spent driving just from that shop to get up to the northeast. So again, these are all

054things we were considering. We we tussled with it trying to okay, does this really worth is the juice worth the squeeze in this instance? Uh and so we do have other land bank properties. Are they necessarily located where we would like them? Not necessarily because growth patterns have changed throughout time and as a part of our uh the re facilities planning and real estate department. What we are constantly doing is we are re-evaluating our our portfolio of properties. Do they still serve the interest for the district today, tomorrow, and in the foreseeable future. And if they don't serve that need, we would bring back forth a proposal of, hey, maybe we need to consider surplusing this site. So [snorts] >> So that and that brings up my my other question. Um, this could go either

055to the superintendent or to you, Mr. McLemore. So, let's say we get to a point where um, we would like to offload this land quickly. How quick can we actually either sell or develop it? Either one. Um, how can I put this? Make sure I word this right. If we're get to a point where we want to either develop and or sell this property, how quickly can we do that? And what's the process for that? >> This proposed site. So assuming that the district were to take ownership of it, how fast could we surplus it? Um, for a case in point, when we surplus the clay cut facility, the clay cut building up on Daniel Jenkins. Uh, that took us around 180 days because we had to do some due diligence, do surveys. We had

056to actually uh subdivide the uh property because it was contiguous to the campus of Daniel Jenkins. We had to do some additional reporting to DOE to say, "Hey, yes, we are officially declaring surplus of this building, create a new parcel, legal." All said and done around 180 days. >> That's for surplusing. But what if we decide we want to develop it? How quickly can we get it developed? Development um once we identify a use, we have to go through the entitlement process. Uh which again, we've already started the we've had some initial discussions through the school site selection committee. We've already voiced that to our county partners who that's who we would work with because this is their jurisdiction. It's not Hane City. They have voiced no objections. They've voiced no comments that would lead

057us to believe that they would not be supportive of any uh of development of the site itself. Um development for entitlements, it could take anywhere just for zoning purposes. We use zoning uh four to six months and then uh to actually start turning dirt. Um again, you're dealing with procurement cycle. your how how do you want to your project delivery mechanism how do you want to build it if it's CM at risk or public private partnership it it takes time until we identify which mechanism there are multiple avenues we could go so it's hard for me to give you a timeline so well and the reason I'm asking this question is I'm just there's concern I' I've I've made this wear to the superintendent um of my concern and it's it's not with this specific

058property >> it's with the whole idea of of buying property right now that we're not going to immed immediately uh start developing and so that's again it's a genuine genu again it's an internal struggle for me right I know if we don't get property in that area now then the price could shoot up in the future because of development okay so that's on one side the other side I'm just concerned about land baking in general right now so it's just an internal struggle for me and and I again it's I I don't want to buy a piece of property and then it be taken away from us and that's that's my point >> considering the the three proposed usage that uses that we outlined for the board previously. And then I provided a reminder at

059the last meeting that it could become a bus depot, could be utilized for facilities and warehousing, which we are in desperate need of both of those first two items. And then ultimately it could be utilized for a K8 or a middle school or whatever we decide to put out there based off population density and you know the the factors that are driving enrollment needs. Um, at the end of the day, you can colllocate multiple of those things on the site and that's the benefit of the site. The fastest thing to do would be essentially a bus depot. Um, but you still have statutory and procedural requirements that we have to abide by because you still have to develop the infrastructure to a certain extent. So, we could so long as we earmark it for a

060particular project, it's not the project's completion date that matters. It's when we move the board votes on a proposal and we begin that process of due diligence and everything else that we're going to be doing to basically begin construction on that campus. That's that protects that property from anyone being able to step in after the fact. Um, I do have this >> and that that makes me more comfortable >> and and I had this on the agenda for our board retreat and I'll be sending out the draft agenda to board members today um because there's a lot to have a conversation around that including some of the properties we currently have. Um, some of those properties may or may not continue to be in areas where we're experiencing growth and we may not necessarily look

061down the road 15, 20 years and and see the need for that property in longer. Well, that creates an opportunity for us. Do we engage with a current land owner or someone else in in in the county? Um, they may live out of county. I shouldn't say restricted to that, but an individual who owns property. Is there an opportunity for us to land swap with someone else? Do we want to put it on the market? Do we want to do something? And again, related to a topic I'm bringing back based off your request. Are we doing something for housing for staff? So, there are a lot of things that are coming related to this topic. So, we'll be addressing that formally at the retreat. Um, because I do need to get some direction and input

062from the board in order to move forward. But again, to address and and provide some reassurance, it's not when the project is completed. this when if we procure that property and we go ahead and notify individuals or the BOCC for for for whatever zoning requirements there are so long as we've done our due diligence and we've done all our crosses that essentially will protect the property from some of the concerns that you've expressed here >> and and if I may have one other point too um with the submission of last year's uh 5-year capital plan uh staff did indicate the need for the district as an unfunded pro unfunded project of the need of a maintenance non educational facility needed in the northeast. So DOE is aware that the district does have a need in

063the northeast. So we've we've tried to bookend it, if you will. >> Thank you, Mr. Mackammore. And that it gives me that gives me an assurance and I appreciate that that it's not the actual completion date. It's when we start going through the process. Um and I would I would I would certainly echo we have an affordability crisis in Pulk County right now. and and I appreciate you bringing that up in our uh next retreat because we have to do something for affordable housing for our staff. So >> that'll be discussed at the retreat just for so I can clarify at the retreat but I am bringing it formally as a workshop item in January. >> Thank you. Appreciate you answering my questions >> Mr. Keys. >> Oh gosh. So, I don't think it's a

064secret what how I feel kind of about this and I'm going to [clears throat] talk about some of the things that Chair Sharp has talked about and I think it's the timing of it. Uh, I'm not going to disagree that um we need, you know, additional warehousing, you know, maintenance depot, things of the sort, but I think to me it's all about location and where it kind of meets the need for some of those. I'm I'm questioning growth in that particular area because all of the acreage on the northeast and of that area is all South Florida Water Management District that's never going to be developed. Right? We have some things to the east that will be developed potentially. I know that's all been platted out for development, but the other thing that I'll talk

065about too is something I've brought up numerous times is I unlike and I'm not going to speak for all the board members. I'm making a big assumption here, but I doubt the rest of the board members have driven down that road for the last 30 years. I have. My grandmother lived out there for that long and you're not getting anything in that area as far as traffic wise. As a matter of fact, it's gotten so bad that that area is now used as a cutthrough from the traffic, the increased traffic on Hatchenal to get to the other side, you know, because the traffic on Merryold. So, they're taking that as a cutthrough. And I went to inspect the property almost right across the street from this this this land. And whereas before years and years

066and years ago, I could get out on that road with no problem at all. and I had to wait almost 10 minutes to pull out of a driveway on a two-lane road. So my question is yes we you know we got 16,000 feet of potential force man that have to be put out there first which is a phenomenal cost you know millions of dollars to bring that much force man to the area but the other thing is which you know Tohjo has touched on but what hasn't been touched on is the development or widening of that road um so I think for a school it's a no-go I think for a maintenance particular facility a depot something like that it is it is foreseeable but I think that goes back to the question of timing

067and when we have and and specifically we're we're potentially going where we're we've agreed as a board we're going out for additional you know referendums for teacher pay which I know these are different buckets um so to speak but in a in an area we're going out and then we have also this plan that we put forward that we're going a large plan to assess our facilities and we have just probably and we don't even know what the cost is yet I think we bucketed aside somewhere around $40 $50 million I am not in the I'm not I'm not a fan of spending um the agreed upon price of $9 million when we know we have PM and maintenance on our existing facilities coming up that we don't even know what the cost is yet.

068So again, I don't think it's it's ever or not say ever. That's dangerous. I don't think in currently it's a good site for a school because of where it's at. I could see it as a potential site for, you know, facilities. I would, if that were the case, I would knock 15 acres off of it because I don't think we need 90 acres for a maintenance depot or warehouse. um you know, we could see some of that land um some of those go away, but I just I don't think now's the time with all the things that are coming up on our schedule. Um the nature of cuts and and some of frankly the the unanswered questions as far as you know, roadway and that kind of stuff and when um like again, I I

069just don't think now's the proper time and and like I said, I'm not saying never, but I just don't think now's the time. >> Thank you, sir. Miss Miller. >> Thanks, Josh. We've talked um several times about many of the things that we're discussing today, but um I appreciate the work you've done with the county with this. Um unfortunately, the infrastructure of this entire county, especially on that side, um is problematic. If this property was towards Dade City, I would tell you, um why bother? Because, you know, we've had the conversations. Even my district has moved, you know, closer. I'm going further into Auburnale because people are moving, you know, not on K&I's beautiful north side of Lakeland as much as the other sides. So, I understand um the need. I also think that meeting

070with the maintenance departments and visiting the the depots we have now and the maintenance facilities, the one thing they tell me, they talk about that drive time and that windshield time to get to get to that side of the county and to get to those schools and the needs they have out there. So, I could see where this would be useful. um 20 years licensed real estate broker. I can tell you that investing in land and especially in that area is never a bad idea. Um if they don't if we don't build this um it easily can be sold to build something else and it will there'll be lots of homes right next to each other and the roads will still be an issue. Um and so I trust in the work that's been done

071with this and I appreciate you bringing this back. I think we've talked about this now two to three times in a work session. Um, but you've always been very readily accessible for questions and thanks for coming back today for more of those. >> If I may, just on the topic of roadway networks, I think I shared last time that the county has already identified a project to where they are going to be straightening Lake Marian Creek Drive as it enters out onto Cypress Parkway. Currently, as the road exists today, it it takes about a 90 degree turn uh as you're traveling, say, northwest. Uh, then it takes a pretty sharp turn to the west before it dumps out onto Cypress Parkway. Uh the county has already identified uh and they're entering into a project where

072they're going to uh redirect that road to be more perpendicular of an intersection with Cypress Parkway to where that would be a signalized intersection. There are no further questions or comments. Mr. Oh, >> I pressed one. I don't know if it did it. >> No, ma'am. >> Oh, sorry. >> Oh, I pressed the wrong button. There you go, Miss Wallace. >> I apologize, Superintendent. Um, still getting comfortable. I just wanted to mention for the record, I did submit a bunch of what I would call legal risk management questions, and I appreciate you and Mr. Green and the team or whomever else assisted with answering those in short order. Thank you. Uh my only request would be that I was asking a lot of my questions based on the draft contract language that had been presented

073to us which I know is not final and um and based on the feedback it looks like a lot of those details will be eventually inserted and contemplated but I would I don't know the normal protocols but if we as a board just have the opportunity should should this decision be approved by the board and we are going to move forward would we have the opportunity to look at the contract language before we sign. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Okay, that's all I'm interested in. So, thank you >> board members. Um, for clarification, Miss Wall submitted her questions this morning, so we did work together to provide that response. I will forward that response to all of you. There were about 11 or 12 questions on there. Um, specific questions as far as 45 days completing

074our due diligence. What in what type of inspections have already been done on the site? Um and there were others several other good questions that I'll go ahead and share those responses with you uh upon our research and you know after further discussion it it would be appropriate for us to update our current contractual language um to make sure that we're reflecting protections to address some of those questions that were asked. They're not explicitly stated in the contract. So it may make great great deal of sense for us to include that. So we'll bring back a revised contract for the board to see. It didn't it doesn't change the nature of the contract. it what it does do is it provides protection further protections for the school district when procuring properties and so apparently our

075form um just needs to be updated. So it's it's a good opportunity for us to do that and then revisit others as well related to procurements. So thank you Miss Walls. >> Thank you Mr. McLemore. >> Board members. I'm going to give you an early holiday present. I'm going to skip the budget and staffing discussion today. I'm sorry Miss Jenkins. I know you prepared for it. We're going to bring that back in January. Um, and it may actually be an opportunity for us to incorporate that into the retreat. Um, we're starting to get into information that quite frankly is quite detailed and and and important. And as we I really want this information before the board as you noticed and Miss Wallace since you're new to the board each month Miss Jenkins has been presenting

076information about a unique portion of school funding so that we can make sure that as we get towards the end of the year we're making informed decisions and that the board has all the background information that they feel they need. We don't necessarily do this just for board members. You guys get a lot of this information from your professional associations through your tenure on the board. many of you are deeply involved and and have a deep understanding of this, but this is also an opportunity for us to put it out there for the general public. Um, so it's an effort for us to be transparent. So, Miss Jenkins, no offense, I just think that's going to be part of my holiday gift to the board. Um, because many of them will say if if you

077want to get a good night's sleep, all you got to do is read the funding book. Um, and that'll help you find a couple quick Z's. So, that being said, board members, there are two information items. There's a donation report and a grants management report. Those are on there for your review and consideration. And then uh Mr. Chair, I will turn it back over to you for the board meeting agenda. >> You're welcome. Merry Christmas in my jacket. >> Thank you, Superintendent. Uh board members, if we could at this time, I would like for us to go over our agenda for this evening's meeting. Uh so I'll give you a second to move over to our uh on in board docs to our meeting. All right. So um are there any questions on sections A

078through F? Any questions? I do want to just highlight that after we accept the uh school board agenda, we will have a per a musical performance in here tonight. Um want to make sure everyone's aware of that. So this area up here will be rather uh crowded. Um but we'll have a great uh performance. Um are there any other questions on A through F? Seeing none, are there any questions? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see it. Yes, ma'am. I mean the association >> they were supposed to come for recognition for the three schools. >> I thought it was on the agenda. Maybe I missed it. >> Oh, for recognition? >> Yes. >> Let me look. Yes, they had to back out. They notified Miss Winchester. She's informing me. >> So, we're going to be able

079to do >> We will absolutely reschedu them for a future date. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. I I I know you're going to work through the agenda, but I did want to point out one alter one change that was made based off a potential conflict of interest for one of our board members. I mean, just a matter of transparency. One item was pulled and moved to action agenda. And that item, it was um the Bistown JA Discovery at Tenner Rock High School. So, that item was moved because Miss Miller um is employed by that organization and she doesn't want there to be a conflict and it can't remain on consent in that regard. So, it was moved here for a vote. >> All right. And Miss Miller uh >> Oh, cancel that.

080He just gave my >> Okay. Excellent. [laughter] Excellent. Miss Fields, you have anything else? Is that the only >> No, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Um anything else for A through F? Seeing none. Um, now let's go to G through K. That is uh consent agenda board items through the chief of consent agenda chief of staff. Is there any uh speakers and Mr. Keys? You're recognized. In reference to H5, just forformational purposes, I know that we had talked at some time and it may have preceded my time on the board about doing a standalone facility to get out of the shopping center there in Publix. And I just want to know if if what the process that cuz I see this is for the extension of the lease of the current place.

081We've I think it's been mentioned in the past that conditions were there were less than favorable as far as um the quality of the facility and I just was looking for some kind of update on where we are with the potential of a standalone site for that. >> I will provide that this evening sir. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'll include that in the superintendent report or if you recall you can inquire with me during the meeting. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> All right. Is there are you done Mr. Keys? >> Yep. >> Excellent. Any other question? Any other speakers for G through K? Seeing none. Clear that. Um L through N. L through N that is consent agenda facilities through consent agenda it'll recognize Dr. Allen. Thank you chair. um looking at in N2

082for um a moment there, Superintendent Hyde, and definitely not needing this data tonight, but uh when this came forward, I'm just looking at that and it's reflective of some some new initiatives that are happening across the state. Uh we've got a group that's moving into the state of Florida from Texas as it relates to planting cell towers on school campuses um to better um sell service and and and there's an opportunity obviously to capitalize on some revenue generation from the uh tower rental that's uh part of you know cell providers leasing space to better that coverage. But when I saw this come forward, it it did spark a little element of safety and security concern. So, you know, yes, I think there's that initiative that we're moving away from our analog phone lines uh to

083be rellyant upon cell service um in particular as relates to emergency or power issue. Um but it just sparked an interest because I did look at some data um from that group that was analyzing a couple different school sites in Pulk that had um just you know very limited cell coverage. So I do have a concern. Um I I definitely am in favor of this. I think you know this is a requirement uh in a sense but just top of mind from a safety issue uh if we're put in a situation of some power issue or some emergency situation like this that our teachers administrators wouldn't have access to self-service um just wanted to bring that to your attention and um maybe an opportunity for us to uh hear uh from that group as well

084>> and if I may just to give you a little bit of background because that's that was brought to my attention. And so there's a little bit of due diligence we're performing before we engage. Um, having had experience with this previously as a superintendent, fall radius is your biggest concern. The size of the tower, you have to basically draw a line or circle that basically would encapsulate or encompass the entire potential fall radius for that said tower. We had the same thing in Illinois with wind turbines. They were a great way for us to generate additional revenue for the school district. In many instances, it could offset your entire operational cost, but the fall radius is what typically prevented school districts from being able to contractually do that because you couldn't do it safely. And

085in the rare event that that were to happen, it's something that you have to be considerate of. So we are performing our due diligence to review what those restrictions limitations would be before we ever engage with an individual group um to pursue that that that has been around for quite a long time in public education and it's a great opportunity so long as where the need is we can safely do something. And then the other part that we have to do our due diligence on is restrictions within the county as they may pertain to visual blight. Um, a lot of times there may be restrictions within certain municipalities or cities or counties that if a cell phone tower goes up, it has to somehow be enhanced so it blends in with the skyline. So, there's

086a lot of things that we are investigating now. So, thank you for bringing it up. I just want to make the board know we are because several of you have spoken to me about this opportunity. So, we are pursuing it and we're showing an interest in it, but we just want to do our due diligence first. >> Thank you, sir. >> Any additional questions? >> That's all I have, Chair. Thank you. All right, board member keys. >> I just [clears throat] I just want to say kudos to the superintendent on that because I had never considered the the um terminology fall radius when talking about these. So um no, seriously though, we're smiling and we kind of joke about it, but I think the amount of work that goes into considering all avenues is commendable.

087So thank you for the hard work on that. That's phenomenal. >> Thank you. >> Right, seeing no additional speakers. Um, let's go to sections O through T. That's consent agenda learning support through consent agenda workforce. Any questions? No. Seeing none, uh, our action agenda, we have four items there. Any questions on the action agenda? No, we do have a public hearing. Oh, Dr. Allen. Yeah, may I think my question uh and I I brought that question to Mr. Green earlier. So this action item on the resolution U4 is in support of us moving this item to public hearing and I just was seeking some clarity on that because it's the same resolution that's actually in the public hearing. Um so I just want to have a little point of clarification on that screen. I apologize.

088My uh my agenda I'm looking at goes up to U3. So what >> what does U4 say? >> Resolution 202526-11. >> Yeah. And maybe I missed it in looking at the earlier agenda. >> That's been pulled. >> Okay. So maybe superintendent, you can help me uh understand that one. So, we initially had it as a public hearing item as well. >> Yes. So, um this had to do with the the cop's financing. >> Mhm. Correct. >> And um it was uh delivered to us to put on the board agenda for this evening. um because um one of the particular land sites that we're currently negotiating was part of that financing and that's a piece that we're in the process of working through the assignment of that uh particular piece of property. Basically, we needed to

089get that finalized to to the satisfaction of the financing piece of this puzzle before we had a vote this evening. So, the decision was made late last week on Friday afternoon, I believe, to um extend that to the January meeting and that would give us time to do our due diligence on the other that other piece of property. >> Do we have that superintendent? And when >> Yes. Yes, sir. We will make the a we will make the correction. >> Right. >> And then, Mr. Green, just for clarification, you'll revertise the public hearing for that or that the public hearing tonight will proceed. >> I'm uncertain. >> Either way, I'll I'll Yeah, we'll probably readvertise. >> Okay. >> I think that's the safest. Yeah. >> Yes, sir. >> So, are we still voting on the

090resolution tonight is my question? >> No, sir. >> So, we're not. So, that will be pulled. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Any other questions, Dr. Allen? Not at this time though. Thank you. >> All right, Miss Fields. >> I have a question on item three, the contract extension for the board auditor. Is that going to be discussed now or later? >> Um well, we'll also we'll have a discussion on it uh here in the work session part if you can. >> Okay, I'll just wait. Okay. Okay. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Any other additional discussion on action agenda items? All right, seeing none, [sighs] uh, we also have the we talked about the public hearings. Any questions on our public hearing v? Any the items there? Seeing none, uh, superintendent, you will

091have a report, correct? >> Yes, sir, I will. >> Excellent. M. Mr. Green, it looks like you have something for us in our attorney's report, >> sir. There should be two items. >> Okay. And Miss Matthews, will we have an auditor's report tonight or not? Okay. Excellent. And then we'll wrap up with our comments and our uh public comments and our board comments. So, all right. Seeing no questions on that. Are there any other general questions on the agenda before we move on? No. And if not, if we can take this time to go back to our uh work session agenda. All right, we're down to G1 uh contract extension for the board auditor. Um so we'll have a discussion on that right now. I I want to just give some background information. um our

092auditor, Miss Matthews, uh discussed with me on on December 1st that uh she was interested in um extending her time with us here um at Pulk County Public Schools because of course the legislature extended drop by 3 years from 5 years to 8 years and so uh she had a desire to extend her contract um from June 2026 to June 2029. the extension would be. Um, now I [clears throat] will tell you that uh her contract language says h it must be um this any extension must be uh approved by December 15th. Um and so I did uh get an email earlier uh after some discussion and uh attorney green you can chime in on this too. Uh we had some dis uh you had some discussion as well as um Mr. bridges with Miss

093Matthews and the email did state that um we could go back to back tonight or we could uh talk about it during the work session today and then potentially bring it for an action agenda item in January and um Miss Matthews said she was okay with either one. Okay. So, I don't know if you could discuss that at all. >> Yeah, sure. It was um basically Miss Matthews was gracious enough to uh grant some extra time if the board needed because we were going back to back this evening due to again um the board trying to accommodate Miss Matthews and making that tough decision on um whether to retire or to extend and then the board's uh decision to try to get that on the agenda before the contractual date of December 15th. Um it

094was put on both the work session and then back toback for a decision on the renewal during the board meeting this evening um >> to alleviate some of that time pressure. Uh there was a discussion with Miss Matthews and she said she'd be willing to wave that hard deadline of no later than December 15th and give us the the leeway to make that uh a vote at the next board meeting on the 27th of January if if need be. Okay. All right. Excellent. So, um, now with that background information, we'll open it up for some discussion. Mr. Keys, [clears throat] >> so I I I have kind of two pieces. One, I don't see a problem with going back to back. I think we're all well aware of what Miss Matthews does in her job.

095Um, and I think such thing, but I would also say too is that if we didn't explore that option of extending the contract, what options do we have otherwise? And I don't think that we've done the prudent planning to have that. So, what would we do without an auditor at that point? Those are my only comments. >> Okay. Excellent. Miss Fields, >> I had a conversation with Mr. uh Green earlier today. Um and uh back to back to me if is if it is an emergency and necessary um then I am okay with it. But I know that we have had ample enough time to at least have some type of suspense. I think going forward, anyone that's on the contract, we need to have a tickular uh date so that when it's time, we

096won't be waiting until a few uh weeks before the December date or whatever the date is to present it to the board for a discussion because what if we don't want to renew the contract? There should be uh some indication by way of evaluation. it should be. Um, so that's my I don't have any problem with extending uh Miss Matthysse um contract. I do think that we need to be thinking of a succession plan if we don't already have that in place. Uh and I think that when discussions like this or when items like this come be for us that everyone needs to be in involved in conversation and making sure that we are in fact wanting to renew the contract and I hope I'm making sense. Uh I I just think that [snorts] um

097it could have easily been for discussion today and for approval in January. I don't think that it has to be today, but if the board has a if it's a consensus that we do it today for both discussion and approval, um I'm not going to vote against it. And and that that's the end of my my comments. >> Thank you. I I'm I'm not going to respond after every single person, but I did want to just address the reason why I asked to bring it back to back was because of that December 15th uh pardon her her contract, but I think in the future we need to be a little more proactive in talking about this prior. So, I appreciate your comments. >> Thank you, >> board member Wyatt. >> Thank you. I have a

098couple comments. So, we redid the last contract while I was chair and at that time we actually did we add the assistant director position or we just filled the assistant director position. >> We added the assistant director of internal audit for that very reason because we thought she was going to be retiring. Um, so that was one of the questions that I had when I I talked to Miss Matthews this week. Um, was just, you know, what is what is the plan there? Um, I think we still have an assistant director that, you know, a couple more years to to feel really really comfortable in that role um to help with some of that succession planning would be um would be helpful. Um, I'm thrilled to have Miss Matthew stay on because I think she's

099been a great asset. Um, and she has a wealth of knowledge that I don't think you can can totally soak up in in a year and a half to two years. Um, because she's been been in that role for a long time. Um, but I'm happy to support I'm happy to wait until January with her um, blessing is, you know, the December 15th is a deadline that's in her contract. So, I want to make sure that we're respectful of that. Um, the one other thing that I I think that this probably would fall under is having all of those dates captured is something that our admin should probably have in their responsibilities. Um because with the chair changing over every year to two years, it's really hard to keep track of, you know, it's not

100like every November we need to look at everybody's contracts. It's well, Miss Matthews is November of 2025, but Mr. Greens is going to be November of 2027 and that there's, you know, keeping track of, okay, this, you know, I need to make sure the new chair knows this because they started on Tuesday and this needs to happen on Thursday. Um, so I think that's something that we probably need to make sure goes into to that as well. And I I I'm going to discuss this later during um board comments, but I did have an informal evaluation last Friday per his contract with Mr. Green. And that's one thing that I've tasked Mr. Green with is to create a document of all the dates for our our contracts for all four of our contracts. And so

101that way we know ahead of time, what this has to be done by this date, so we're not kind of waiting last minute. And so that's just for your uh u reassurance. I have tasked Mr. agreeing with that. So >> that's helpful. I I still think with board changeover that that's something that our admin should be reminding us of as as new people come in and out. >> Gotcha. >> What admin? Go ahead. >> Our admin, >> our our assistant >> should be reminding us of when contracts. So >> So I do I have put that in emails to the board. So I'm I'm Are you referring to my office? Are you referring to >> No, no, no. To our >> Okay. I'm partially hearing. I'm sorry. [laughter] I just want to make sure >>

102when we have we have lots of contracts and things that come up not you know on a regular they are on a regular schedule but they're three years and they're all on a different three years. So having that list on our office that you know this is something hey you're the new chair this is something you need to bring up >> because really it's when we're planning the agenda it's the responsibility of the chair to make sure things like that end up on the >> right >> the agenda >> right >> but when you have a chair that's changing over every couple years it gets harder and harder to keep track as we add more contracts. So having a running list in our office that our admin can keep help keep tabs of um to

103make sure we don't miss anything. >> So that >> they're kind of the through line between all of the chairs. >> And since Miss Vega reports to me is the ex we can talk about this at the retreat if you'd prefer is the expectation that we add it to your calendar so that you get a reminder 30 days out six or just >> retreat. >> Okay. >> We can talk about it in the ret. >> Perfect. All right. I I just would say since since uh our attorney is creating that document, that is a document that should live in our administrative assistance office with him because he's a he's an expert in contracts obviously while we hired him. So having him create that document, having it live there, I think would be the best for

104format. You have any other questions? Okay. Board member Miller, >> thank you. Um agree. I appreciate that we've added the position in that office. I can tell you just by watching um like a lot of our positions in the higher level um skill set offices, our pay grades are not competitive with the private market and we lose people out of that office a lot. We lose people out of um several of our offices, but that's one we've seen turnover in. So, um, yes, we need to be building a succession plan, but I appreciate the fact that, um, our auditor is willing to stay on and help because this is a huge or organization that has a lot of historical content and a lot of systems set. And I think that's one thing that, um, we

105can we can take from that office. There are there are a lot of systems set there, but you would need someone with a with her level skill set to make sure it's seamless. So, I appreciate her wanting to stay on. And I I am really excited to hear that we are going to have the conversation about organization. Um and I appreciate the chair addressing that. Um the information to assist board members in knowing what's coming up and what's next needs to be something that's a a a live document, something that's procedural. It can go in the procedural guide we're still working on, but it it would be helpful as new board members come come and go that there is one place where board members can go to have this information. And so whether it's online

106or old school in a binder, I look forward to that conversation. >> Thank you. Board member Miller, board member Fields. >> I would just uh say that I had spoken to Mr. Green earlier today about uh establishing a tick a ticker system and I think that it rest underneath the attorney's office with uh the information being shared with the executive assistant and whoever else needs to be informed. But I think with the contracts and everything that that's something that when we can discuss it when we have my retreat that that should rest with uh the attorney. >> Thank you board member Fields, Dr. Allen. >> Thank you, Chair Sharpless. Yeah, and I I would uh commend, you know, looking at the contract um Miss Wyatt uh on that because the December 15th deadline in essence

107was to discuss uh Miss Matthew's contract whereas her contract expires technically in April, June rather. So it does it gives us you know ample time to discuss if we need it to pivot. So I I think Miss Wyatt that was a good move on your part. Um and you know reflecting on the evaluative that was just done. I'm going to read just you know some of the qualitative words uh that came from our uh collective uh evaluation of the work that you've done in the district and it is basically predominantly positive and uh to actually strongly positive. So with this consistent recognition of Mi Miss Matthews expertise, her professionalism and reliability as well. So I mean I think you know obviously the board is in favor of the work that you're doing. Um so um

108I'll definitely be supporting that extension as well. That's all I have. Chair, >> thank you. Dr. Allen board member Wallace. >> This is just a random question and I'm using Mrs. Matthew's contract as an example, not personal to you, but how do we pick the amount of time that a contract is effective? Like, are we are we choosing this extension specific to her retirement situation or like let's say she had 20 years left, how much time would a contract like this normally go? >> That's a great question. So, um, in this particular >> or whoever is supposed to Yeah. Is that your Okay. >> I mean, I can tell you the reason why it's drafted for this today. I can't tell you, [cough and clears throat] you know, in the history, but today it's because

109she did say she's going to retire in three years. And so, I mean, the board also could do renewal, renewal, could edit that. We could amend that and make renewal less, but this is to lock her in for her retirement in this particular situation for three years, but we could you can change renewal terms or any of that when we bring that as an action agenda item or I would it probably better to discuss that during work session and then have it ready for uh that. But absolutely. So and superintendent b uh attorney green you can discuss also uh that question as well. I mean how do we determine the terms? >> Sure. Um you know with uh like for instance my my term also happens to be three years. Uh that was a board

110decision. Um, so typically I think employment contracts tend to be in that range for >> three to five >> both so that you're not having to um hire somebody new, you know, after a particular period of time. But with other contracts that the board reviews with vendors, for instance, um they tend to be on a yearly basis. Sometimes there's a um a pricing um benefit to having a longer term contract, 3 to five years. And and I work with uh Mr. Craig to on getting a better deal if it's a longer term contract. So, it kind of depends. The bottom line is it depends on the contract and what you're negotiating. But, um, in terms of the employment contracts, I think they tend to be in the three-year range typically. But, that's not a it's

111not a requirement. Just happens to be what the board's decided in the past. >> Right. Thank you. >> Board member Wallace, you have any other questions? Um maybe but I can tell board member Miller would like to say something. >> Well I already um >> oh >> only because I listen um to other people's convers just I um there's one by statute that's set and that's a superintendent. The rest is board decision. So if you and I think it would be very difficult to do a long I mean it would be too the liability of having a really long one would be a problem but you're right too too short of a contract we'd run into turnover. Um, we won't find this I'll just be very honest. You won't find this quality or depth of

112someone who came from the private sector into the public sector for what we pay. >> So, yeah. No, and I wasn't I wasn't um as a followup, I just like to know the why. And so, it's good to know or like if you know we cater to each situation like Mr. Green said or if there's like a specific standard practice or that's what the market commands or whatever. Um, I was just curious. So, that that was all helpful. So, thank you. Thank you all. >> Board member Fields, >> Miss Wallace, historically it's been three years and the superintendent uh has been more than three years, but everyone else has basically been three. >> You're welcome. >> Board member Wyatt. >> Thank you. I was just going to add to what Miss Field said. So, we

113actually went through two years ago, maybe three years ago now, because it did used to every year it would extend if we didn't notify them by I think it was January 1st or February 1st, it would just automatically extend. Um, so we actually took that provision out so it doesn't automatically extend. Um, we actually have to have the conversation that you don't end up December 15th sneaks up on you and now you're you have somebody for another year because you forgot to to talk about it. Um, so that's that was changed a couple years ago. [snorts] >> All right. So, um, I'm hearing I'm hearing the board say that, um, you know, there certainly everyone's, uh, comfortable, uh, with extending this. Um, but some people would like a little more time to review the contract

114um, from what I'm hearing. So, I think it would be appropriate, superintendent, to u move this to action agenda in January. Superintendent, >> you hear me? I said from what I'm hearing the board say, it would it would make sense to turn this action move this action agenda item to January with Miss Matthews blessing on that um through email, right? um saying that she's okay with that the December 15th clause in the contract, but we have discussion at work session today and then um I would I would suggest bringing back work session again in January and then back bring it back to back in January just to have any final discussions. >> Miss Matthews, could I ask you to come to the podium just to say that for the record? >> Um because the audience

115while you nodded yes and said [laughter] yes, the audience won't capture that. So, it's just a matter of procedural. Um, and then >> email me. >> Yes, we will we we will make that adjustment during the break and move that from action from today and we'll move it to January to the agreeable date. >> So, yes, I'm fine with moving the action, the vote on the extension of my contract to January so that you don't have to do it back to back. >> Thank you, Miss Matthews. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you very much. [snorts] So I'm I'm not hearing any other discussion on this. If is it speak now or forever hold your piece on that. Uh if not and we're going to move into uh our G2 item for our work session. Um

116you can see attached to uh to this um agenda item on our board committee uh assignments. I I do want to take just a second um for some background knowledge. I think this is and this is my opinion going forward in future years so we don't have such a tight window. I would suggest the board chair send out this information at the uh beginning of but prior to the reorg and let people digest it a little bit because I know it's hard when you get something on Monday to have everything filled out by Friday. All right. Because literally last week, last Monday, I sent you got uh to to Miss Vega all the committees and the information. And I I compiled that Excel sheet that I sent to Miss Vega to for you all to

117see um from all the different documents we have. Okay. Um and so I I feel like going forward now the new board chair, whoever the next one is, would make the recommendations, but to give everyone the time to think through which committees they may want to be on, um the the current board chair would need to send that out, I would say, early November. That's that's my opinion. Um certainly you guys can can disagree with that. That's the background because I know it only gave you a week to determine which what what what is your uh you know what would be your re your desire to serve on what committees. Okay. Um but you do have from all the feedback that you know Miss Vega compiled for me from all of your um desires on

118which appointments you would like. Um, I spent some time creating an Excel spreadsheet, figuring out who liked what and and it it, you know, I I had my own formula how I did it, but I tried to give everyone uh committees that they are excited to serve on. I hope you all see that there. The only thing I will I do want to make one caveat before we open it up for speakers. I did discuss with um with Miss Porter um with the Poke Education Foundation um that they had a desire they have a desire for their board member uh appointment to be a two-year appointment just like Poke Vision, just like FSBA because it's really hard for someone to understand everything the Poke Education Foundation does in a year. And so my recommendation going

119forward is to is for us to to change that and our procedures of how we do that to have board members serve two-year terms. Therefore, that's why you'll see on um my recommendations to continue to have uh vice chair keys as the PEF rep. Okay? And that was again from their board of directors, from their executive director, Miss Porter, after a phone call I made to her. Okay? And so having said that, I want to uh open it up for discussion on the recommended appointments. I can read through those if you want me to or you you also have that attached document. It's up to you. So is there any discussion on the recommended appointments, Miss Fields? I don't really have any concerns on u the uh appointment and you're right um Mr. sharp list.

120It it is uh a fast process when you're transitioning from one chair to the other. I I would suggest as you said the 1 of November or definitely right after the uh November board meeting getting uh information to the board members as quickly as possible, but whatever works for whoever is going to be the chair is fine. Uh, and then the other thing is I don't have a problem with the Poke Education Foundation two-year term, but just keep in mind for future purposes that means that only five of the schoolboard members will be able to serve on that uh foundation if you're going to give two two years. So, just keep that for whatever it's worth. But uh great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I will say to um to that that that

121was their desire. They also understand that we control our appointments, so we don't have to follow that. That's why I open it up for your discussion. Certainly, board member Wyatt, >> thank you. Um, I would agree with getting the information out earlier, though I think we probably all have some understanding of what committees we want to serve on and about when the time frame frame is that we'll be requesting. Um, but I do when it comes to PEF, I love the idea of serving for two years. they only meet quarterly, so four meetings to figure out what you're doing is is not a lot of time. Um, but I also would, and we had this conversation a couple years ago, um, before Miss Copelan passed, that it is not in anybody's bylaws or any type

122of statute that it has to rotate from board member to board member. If we're doing it two years, it can be just like any other. People can put their names in for it. Um, I would encourage us not to rotate to the next number because that would mean essentially only people that really really want to serve may not ever get the opportunity to just because you can only be here eight years and there's not enough years. So, and there may be a board member that that's just not their top passion. They would much rather do a finance committee or something like that. So, um, just for what it's worth, I think that we should definitely go that route of making it up for whoever is interested in serving in it can can serve in that

123capacity. >> Thank you, board member Wyatt. Board member Miller, >> thank you. I appreciate the organization of that was easy to read on on the what we added to the agenda is word documents and it all got miss messed up, but the Excel sheet is really was really easy to read and that was informative. the one um board that I sit on, the committee that I sit on um that you had the question marks by, I just want to give a little more information. I would love to hand that off when my term ends. Um which is also very important that you're reaching out to the different committees because they're all so different. Um the transportation planning committee with the board of county commissioners is the disadvantage TPO and so it has a lot to

124do um that's where our school set and when I joined the board it was just vacant. Um, and the person that fills it as if I can't attend is actually out of our transportation department. Um, but that's a that's one I've just always sat on because it was vacant. I don't know if there are others, but I think it's good that we have them listed like that. And I'll make sure that that information of how long those terms are um once you're once you're um once that's joined will be in that document so people can look at it. It might and it if their term doesn't work for us, we might need to have that discussion because if it's a three-year term, that might be too long um for the board and maybe somebody else

125would like a term to serve. And plus the people serving um there's so many great things to be involved with, it helps us have more interest. But I do appreciate the organization of that and the fact that that will be a live document that we can go to um for reference in the future. So it will fall in a schedule. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Miller. Board member keys. [clears throat] I'm gonna second what board member Miller said about the Excel spreadsheet. I'm a little bit of a spreadsheet um nerd. So, anytime you hand me something on a spreadsheet, I get really excited about it. I will say just for um appointment durations, I'm really concerned about the Junior Achievement Board of Directors alternate um their term expiring in 2005. I think we're

126overdue on that one. Little joke there. But um that being said, back to the discussion about PEF um is the sitting current board member that I think um the comment was made about and [snorts] Miss Wyatt about um that going rotating by number. I think that's a very valid comment because there may be those board members that don't have any desire whatsoever to sit on the PDF board. I said so I think now is the opportune time. We're talking about extending that term to two years, but also the way that is appointed I think is very valid. So um and that and and that came up again and I'll I'll let the rest of the board members know in our discussion we had some kind of strategic planning on PF board. It was hey we

127only have board member for a year. You [snorts] know just about the time you get really excited about it is the time you're rolling off and and and whereas again where I think Mrs. Wyatt's comment is so valid is because you know although somebody may not get a chance to serve on that board, somebody may not want to serve on that board. Um, and I frankly there's be completely honest there's some boards in here that I really not that I don't have any interest in. They don't excite me. Um, and I would rather be doing something that I'm 100% to and that something that interests me than rather than serving on a some a board just because we are obligated to have an appointment to it. So those are those are my comments. So thank

128you for your hard work on that. Appreciate it. >> Thank you board member keys. Board member Wallace. So had we stuck to um the established plan, I would have rotated onto the PEF board and I was very much looking forward to that, Mr. Vice Chair. However, I think that the wisdom of making sure we get quality over quantity that um our our rep when we have representation on these boards that are our representatives are able to get knowledgeable and comfortable and add more value. um willing to be patient should um whether it's myself or whoever um is elected uh next year to this seat. Um it makes sense that that um we would have the opportunity to make sure our board members um just one idea uh like if we were concerned about uh not

129everybody having the opportunity to serve on that particular board is to see with Miss Porter if we could add one more seat and we could have staggered right like we could have our first year school board member and a second year school board member. Although I don't know if four times a year they end up discussing board business and then you can't have two board members in the room. Is that a challenge? >> Maybe voting and non voting would be the issue. >> Okay. Well then I'm just never mind. So overall I would have I would um the tradeoff of having more experience. I support that idea. >> Thank you. Board member Wallace. I see >> chair. >> Yes. Superintendent. [clears throat] I I'm just seeking clarification because this will require some revision after you

130make your committee decisions. >> Is this the only committee that the board is considering modifying the term of to two years? Everything else will remain a single year. >> Well, some of them are currently are not but but any of the current single years to >> the only change correct that I need to bring back in January. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Unless I hear of any others. No, I see no other um no other board member comments. So, I'm assuming everyone's happy with their committees. Um so, uh that being said, now we'll go down to our Let me pull this up. [sighs] Committee or liaison updates. Um so, if you have any of those, please uh please uh signify you like to speak. I do want to just touch on something I discussed earlier.

131Per his contract, I did meet with Mr. green on Friday after I got back from the uh Florida School Board Association's annual conference and we had an informal review. Um this is uh not a again it's not as formalized review but in his contract and informal review um I can say personally I'm very pleased with uh the work that uh Mr. Green has done for us. And with that being said, if there's any board members that would like to give feedback to Mr. Green, he's welcome for a one-on-one meeting um for any informal feedback that you're you're wanting to give him. So, um you know, that's after me and him had our discussion. He said absolutely he would love to meet with you if you had any um any feedback for him for review. Okay.

132Is there any other uh board member comments? Dr. Allen, >> ju just on that item, when when is the timeline for his evaluation? because I I know is it was >> one year mark. >> The one year mark. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Prior to June 15th of 2026. >> Okay. All right. Uh that's all I had in regards to >> now. Now I would like to put that I unmuted your microphone. So >> sorry about that. >> It's okay. >> The the formal evaluation is at the one-year mark which would be June 5 prior to June 15, 2026. Excellent. All right. And I did have one item I just wanted to note. Um this past week I had a chance to um take part in the board of directors with the FSBA. I appreciate the

133opportunity to serve in that capacity. U it was it was a pretty active uh conference. I don't know if you all read any headlines at all. Um but uh in general, the board met on December 2nd and we reviewed uh extensive updates to our legislative platform. Uh there were some federal alerts that we considered and uh legal issues as recent as the um Lee County ruling uh which is very interesting if you want to read that one. Um update on superintendent searches from around the state as well. Um but in particular the long range planning committee uh approved their recommended strategies for the um 2026 to31 strategic plan. Uh on top of that, the finance committee approved well the BOD uh approved the recommendation from the finance committee as you know our our chair actually

134is the treasurer of that um of the FSBA organization and he recommended to the body the board of directors which then went to the general body uh no dues increases uh for the FSBA membership. So um Chair Sharpless thank you for that leadership and that capacity. uh the advocacy committee. Uh there was an emergency platform item related to the schools of hope that was presented to the board of directors uh per policy and we did pass that unanimously as well. This actually added to the legislative platform for the FSBA. Um and a couple other minor things as well. So that's my update on the uh FSBA board of directors meeting. >> Thank you. Yes. and not wanting our district to have to pay anymore. I certainly uh was very enthusiastic to say no dues increase.

135Um those that were present at that meeting can tell you how enthusiastic I was. All right. Uh board member Wyatt. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Allen, for that update. Is do we think that that's something that we should look at adding to our legislative platform as well >> as far as the schools of hope? >> The schools of hope. >> Superintendent High. >> Yeah. So, I didn't note I saw that it was actually on the agenda for a board retreat to discuss. Uh, but maybe that would be a good time for us to consider that. >> Okay. I just hate to wait too late because I don't want to not have it on our platform going into session. But, you know, I'd be interested to see the language on it. I do think that

136that's something that's going to be important for our district as we're already receiving proposals. And, well, you know, I I love all of the people that want to come visit my house. I don't want anybody moving into my spare bedroom. I think the concern I have is that the you know the language is now being modified to create even more flexibility >> and diminish the whole purpose of why the schools were created in the first place which was to serve under you underperformed and and underserved students um and low performing school settings. And now the allowance allows them to basically establish anywhere they want if there's no room um close in proximity to a a school that um arguably the schools of hope were designed to to support students and then it eliminates lottery and

137eliminates a lot of things. Um so there's a lot to this topic which is why I put it on a retreat. So, I think that might if if the board's interest is for a legislative uh agenda, I can definitely work with Miss Dodge to see if we can draft something and get out to board very quickly and we can definitely add it as an addendum if the board sees fit. >> If that's something that we need to vote on, is it possible to add a um board meeting at the end of our board retreat just to vote on that topic on the 9th? >> So long as it's duly advertised and noticed, yes, >> absolutely. I'm only one board member, so I'll let my colleagues talk. I do have an update from my committee after,

138but I'll let other colleagues add on before if they would like. >> Mr. Green, that that's correct. So long as this newly noticed and advertised in a public forum, we can we can add an emergency or special meeting. Yes. >> To the end of the retreat. >> That's correct. >> For me, is it about this item, your discussion? >> Yes. >> Okay. So I will tell you that in sitting in that meeting too of the advocacy committee um the discussion was very very involved on this subject matter and they actually there was conversation of separating out on its own and then taking a separate taking that to kind of show the importance of it saying hey this needs to be addressed apart from FSBA's legislative platform and that being said I think it you know

139was ultimately decided we know it's important we're going to we're going to advocate for it so I think that it behooves us to to have a real conversation about it because FSBA is going to be lo um legislating very actively um for it and and advocating you know um FSBA's position on that right which I think so again I think the timeliness of us discussing it is good and I think that um it behooves us to address it as what our stance on it is now or let me say sooner rather than later. So, I agree with you. >> Board member Wallace, is this uh pertaining to this item? >> Yes. >> Okay. You're you're recognized. >> Thank you. Um, Superintendent Hyde, I would look forward to the opportunity during our retreat to get a

140full overview just based on even a prior conversation we had about all the um questions that we have as a district about like set one's philosophical views aside whether you want to see more schools of hope or not or you want to see collocation or not. what are the practical questions we have, right? If we want to follow law, if we want to, you know, have predictability, less chaos, all the things, right? Um, that to me with our retreat being really early, I agree with board member Wyatt's desire to have something ready to go, but at the same time, we know that a lot of these things are tweaked throughout session that we can communicate with our delegation that we do plan to come forward. It would be my view that we could all have

141a comprehensive overview at the retreat, reach some consensus around what that position ought to be like, what, you know, mainly go to the legislature with our our asks there, and then if we needed a couple weeks into session to to get our homework done, and then but let our leadership know that that's coming, I I feel like the juice would be worth the squeeze to to wait on that and not have to rush into or in my view, it would be rushing into um taking a position if we were to vote on it immediately. I think it's worth to wait a couple weeks and or into session, get it get everything done and thought through and then send it on. >> And there will be a lot of discussion about this topic during legislative session.

142We we are not the only school district who has expressed concerns and I think Miss Wallace addresses it. You could philosophically, pedagogically, we could have a lot of conversation around whether or not the the concept makes sense. For us, it's the operational piece. It's how do you operationalize this concept in its current format? And the one question as an example, the one I tee up for everyone all the time is there's nothing in the statute or the rule that currently explains what we're to do in a growing district where we're not seeing declining enrollment. If a school of hope moves into a currently vacant spot and we either have to reszone or growth means that current students who are within the attendance boundary of that school would arguably now need that space. Do I kick

143the school out? That's the those are the questions that have that were were never even thought of were never addressed. And and those are the things that most of us are struggling with that this this approach to passing a law and we'll fix it and identify the details later is absolutely the wrong way for us to be implementing education policy. I don't think anyone at this in this room doubts or you know disagrees with that. We need better clarity. We need better support. We need better understanding. And that should come in the form of technical assistance on the leading edge of potential legislation, not after the fact when districts realize and push back because nobody bothered to pick up the phone and call us and talk to us about potential issues with leg legislation that

144they're contemplating. So that's my soap box for the moment because this is an issue that frustrates me because the lack of communication and and with all due respect and I I know many will say, "Well, why aren't you advocating with your legislators? Why do I have to? When are they going to do their job and pick up the phone and call us? Why is it my responsibility to track down every piece of legislation and identify potential pitfalls? And I'm preaching to the choir. I know that. I'm sorry. >> They are getting read. It It's just It's frustrating. And education policy doesn't have to has it doesn't have to function this way. We are all in the same business of ensuring that every kid has a quality educational experience and gets the best possible outcomes possible.

145that we can create for them and and we do a heck of a good job every day, day in and day out. So yes, I do get passionate because these are the things that frustrate me because these are the things that consume everybody in this room and my time when it could be better served focusing on classrooms, focusing on kids, focusing on the real issues. So thank you, Miss Wallace. I know you didn't intentionally tee it up that way, but [laughter] I took advantage of it and and I ran with it for a moment. So thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent Miss Wallace. Just [clears throat] I wanted to encourage you super do I >> you muted yourself. >> Okay. Sorry. I want to encourage you superintendent and everyone anyone watching anybody in here is

146it's it's fr I hear your frustration. I would also say we have an opportunity to lead too, right? we have an opportunity to say okay let's think of different scenarios where if um an honest broker were to come to us wanting to colllocate or someone we are not even unhappy to see coming to PK county what would what would that look like or how would that make or yeah or can we produce or can we suggest things again stuff we can discuss in the retreat but that's where maybe we have the opportunity to ingratiate ourselves and stand out um you know and and maybe lead with what would make sense and hopefully have an influence on what those details look like even though I get you. I hear you that it's frustrating to even have

147to do that. So, >> thank you. Thank you, board member Wallace. Board member Fields, is this regarding this issue? >> Yes. >> Thank you. I wasn't able to attend the uh conference last minute but um I I I believe that we really need to make sure that when we are creating our legislative platform that we definitely mirror as much as we can from the na from the uh from the uh Florida schoolboard association and I think we've done that in the past for the most part and then I would say that what Superintendent Hot said about Miss Dodge is very uh on key because even though we might not have it on our legislative platform yet, I'm willing to bet you that she is going to be Johnny on the spot and uh she'll be

148representing us well when it comes to that issue. So, I just want to make sure that that we uh know that even if it's not right on the platform at this moment in time, we're at it. if it's uh everyone's um agreement, but believe me, she is working uh for our good even as we speak. At least I believe that she is. >> I agree wholeheartedly. Board member Wyatt, >> thank you. Um again, my my only concern with waiting too long past the 9th is that session is starting and that PK County Day happens before us having another board meeting where we could actually vote on. I'd love to be able to see it go up be able to go up with us. Um, but that's just my my opinion as one board member. Um,

149it's just nice to be able to, you know, when people are when you're walking into legislators offices, they have six legislative agendas on their desk from education partners and they all have the same thing on them. Just tends to speak a little bit louder. Um, but thank you again, Dr. Allen, for for bringing that up. Um, [snorts] I think it's one of those, you know, had it happened two weeks earlier, it probably would have been on our platform already, but just the timing of it, didn't realize how big of an issue it was going to be until until it happened. Um, [snorts] but what I originally pressed my button to speak on was Junior Achievement, which I'm super excited to be on their board again. Um, thank you, Mr. Sharpless. Um, we had a board

150meeting on Friday as I was serving in the as the alternate previously. Um there are lots of exciting things coming. The first is that the gra this is going to be our first graduating class of 3D. Um so we had a lot of exciting conversations about that. Um they will all have some type of stole at graduation. So we will be able to identify them. Um one of the things we talked about which I'll go ahead and put on your radar um Mr. Hyde is they asked if there was going to be any designation for them. Kind of how we have in our programs of if they're Cambridge there's an asterk if we would have a designation for them. So, I'm putting that on your radar that we would love to be able to see

151them designated somehow similarly if possible. Um, but it's it's exciting that we'll have our first class there. Um, the other thing is that we are looking at a groundbreaking for um the discovery center. My understanding is there's already dirt in pipes, but we are looking at a groundbreaking in March to turn over some dirt next to what is hopefully maybe some concrete. Um, so that date will be coming out soon. Is it official? >> Yes, >> it's officially March 8th. >> Get excited. I can't wait to see all of you there. >> From construction site to construction, >> we just bring the dirt and the gold shovel. It's the same dirt and gold shovel >> from every at every groundbreaking. I kind of had a feeling it was, but because it's always, you know, the

152mound on top of the dirt that just >> we had a nice little mound of dirt right here that we're going to break ground on. Um but yes, so that will be March 8th. So, well, they'll um Shauna said that they would make sure to get out the official calendar. >> It's March 6th. >> March 6th. >> Hold on. I actually put it on my calendar. That is a Sunday. >> You cannot ever trust >> me. Just say it. >> It's fine. March 6th. >> It's March 6th at 10:00 a.m. is what I have a hold on my calendar for. >> 9 9 to 10ish. We're working on that. >> Okay. It's a TBA, but it's on the morning of the 6th. So, the official calendar is coming. Um, but want to make sure you

153all have that on your radar. Um, excited to have that opened for next school year. >> That morning, >> any [snorts] other >> That was that was all for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Wyatt. Uh, board member Allen, >> I'll refrain. Actually, I was a continuation of the uh schools of hope, but at this point, I'll just let it die. Thank you. >> Okay. I did want to bring one other thing up. Um and so last meeting um I had I've had a discussion with uh attorney uh Green as well as for my just so you all know I'm I've coached parliamentary procedure teams um here in in Poke County. I something that I'm passionate about and I've talked to other boards from across the state and many boards don't have electronic

154voting. Just going to tell you that. So we're kind of an anomaly on that. Um but I I want to make sure and I and this is from from your chair position. Um I don't think that our the way we make motions should be determined by an electronic voting system. When we make if you know if someone wants to make an amendment on or if we need to like for example last time we voted to table something you can easily do that by by a hand vote. You can do that by a roll call vote. It doesn't have to be part of our electronic voting system. So, I just want to make sure that I put that out there so you guys understand that that's I feel like parliamentary procedure is created to be able

155to to to come up when things come up, you're able to address them. And so I understand the frustration sometimes um of you know we have this item that's electronically in front of us. We clicked yes or whatever. But we should we should be able to through our review of the minutes anytime we have an on the-fly motion like that. We should I don't think we should hinder our ability to do parliamentary procedure based on our voting system. That I I want to make sure to put that out there. Yes. Board member Miller. >> Thank you. I um there are a lot of boards that use the electronic system, but I did reach out to the attorney and asked him. I don't feel comfortable with our superintendent helping us table topics. I don't think that's

156his place. Um so I I did reach out to Mr. Green and have the conversation to be he's a very kind man, a lot like Mr. Wes um Bridges was, but I am looking that he may need to help in in the most respectful manner that he always will insert himself before we make a um that we have a procedure that that someone could question what we were doing because I think that's important. If you want to make a vote, I don't want later someone saying, "Well, you didn't make the vote because of a technicality." And someone who said on the old school FL, FBLA, future business leaders, um parliamentary procedure team, I understand. Um, I understand the con I understand the importance and concept of it, but I don't think it I don't I

157think there are many boards that run very successfully with electronic systems. So maybe it's a system we're running and that's could be a conversation for a later date, but I don't want to take away the tools we're using to capture um our votes, but that's my input. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Miller. Is there any more discussion on this? Uh seeing none uh with no further business to come before this board this meeting is adjourned.